Association between exposure to fine particulate matter and osteoporosis: a population-based cohort study.

Long-term environmental air pollution exposure was associated with osteoporosis' risk in a cohort of women at high risk of fracture. Cortical sites seemed to be more susceptible to the exposure's effect. INTRODUCTION: Environmental air pollution has been associated with disruption of bone health at a molecular level. Particulate matter (PM) exposure can simultaneously stimulate bone resorption and halt bone formation. The primary aim of the present study is to describe the association between long-term exposure to PM and osteoporosis in a large cohort of women at high risk of fracture. METHODS: Clinical, demographic, and densitometric data were extracted from the DeFRAcalc79 dataset, which gathers data on women at risk for osteoporosis. Data on the monitoring of PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations were retrieved from the Italian institute of environment protection and research (Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale, ISPRA). Generalized linear models with robust estimators were employed to determine the relationship between BMD and PM long-term exposure. RESULTS: A total 59,950 women from 110 Italian provinces were included in the study. PM 2.5 exposure was negatively associated with T-score levels at the femoral neck (ß -0.005, 95 CI -0.007 to -0.003) and lumbar spine (ß -0.003, 95% CI -0.006 to -0.001). Chronic exposure to PM2.5 above 25 µg/m3 was associated with a 16% higher risk of having osteoporotic T-score at any site (aOR 1.161, 95% CI 1.105 to 1.220), and exposure to PM10 above 30 µg/m3 was associated with a 15% higher risk of having osteoporotic T-score at any site (aOR 1.148, 95% CI 1.098 to 1.200). CONCLUSION: Long-term exposure to air pollution was associated with higher risk of osteoporosis. Femoral neck site seemed to be more susceptible to the detrimental effect of PM exposure than lumbar spine site. KEY MESSAGE: Exposure to air pollution is associated with osteoporosis, mainly at femoral site.

Modified-atmosphere packaging of hen table eggs: effects on pathogen and spoilage bacteria.

As part of a more comprehensive research activity on the use of modified-atmosphere packaging for the improvement of quality and functional properties of table eggs, the effects of air, 100% CO(2), and 100% O(2) packaging were also evaluated on the survival of experimentally inoculated pathogen bacteria (Salmonella Enteritidis, Escherichia coli, and Listeria monocytogenes) as well as on spoilage bacteria (total aerobic mesophilic bacteria) on table eggs during 30 d of storage at 4, 25, and 37°C by colony count method. In general, temperatures played a major role, rather than gasses, in influencing the bacterial survival. In particular, the lowest microbial loads were registered at 4°C on E. coli and spoilage bacteria, whereas 37°C was the best storage temperature to avoid the psychrotropic microorganism L. monocytogenes development regardless of the gas used. One hundred percent CO(2) packaging, in association with a low storage temperature (4°C), had a significant positive effect in reducing Salmonella loads. On eggs inoculated with L. monocytogenes and stored at 4°C as well as on eggs containing only spoilage bacteria and stored at 25°C, 100% CO(2) resulted the best gas in comparison with air and O(2). One hundred percent CO(2) packaging showed no negative effect on pathogen survival compared with air. Although further improvements are required to control RH within packaging to limit bacteria growth/survival, in view of the positive effects of CO(2) packaging on quality traits of table eggs, 100% CO(2) packaging might represent a promising innovative technique for the maintenance of egg characteristics during transport, retail, and domestic storage.

[Medical and dental digital photography. Choosing a cheap and user-friendly camera]. / Photographie numérique médicale et dentaire. Le choix d'un appareil photo simple et économique.

INTRODUCTION: Digital photography is more and more important in our everyday medical practice. Patient data, medico-legal proof, remote diagnosis, forums, and medical publications are some of the applications of digital photography in medical and dental fields. A lot of small, light, and cheap cameras are on the market. The main issue is to obtain good, reproducible, cheap, and easy-to-shoot pictures. TECHNICAL NOTE: Every medical situation, portrait in esthetic surgery, skin photography in dermatology, X-ray pictures or intra-oral pictures, for example, has its own requirements. For these reasons, we have tried to find an "ideal" compact digital camera. The Sony DSC-T90 (and its T900 counterpart with a wider screen) seems a good choice. Its small size makes it usable in every situation and its price is low. An external light source and a free photo software (XnView((R))) can be useful complementary tools. The main adjustments and expected results are discussed.

[Risk factors for hip fracture in elderly persons]. / Fattori di rischio per frattura di femore in persone anziane.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this observational study, promoted by the Health Authorities of the Regione Veneto (Italy), is to assess the prevalence of the most relevant environmental and individual risk factors in subjects with a recent hip fracture. METHODS: Patients aged more than 60 years of both genders with a recent hip fracture not associated with malignancies, were administered questionnaires on dietary habits, sun exposure, and disability score. A complete family, pharmacological and pathology history was collected together with information on previous falls, details of the fracture index, and anthropometric data. In all subjects, blood was taken for the measurement of serum 25 hydroxy-vitamin D (25OHD). RESULTS: The study included 704 patients (573 women and 131 men). Mean age was 81 ± 8 years (range 60-102). Severe pre-fracture disability was a common feature (58%) associated with multiple co-morbidities (84%), more frequently cardiovascular and neurological diseases, and specific medications. In a large proportion (86%) of the patients, environmental or individual risk factors for falling were found. Vitamin D insufficiency (serum 25OHD levels < 75 nmol/l) was quite common (70%), particularly in the regional Health Districts were strategies for preventing vitamin D deficiency were not implemented (91%). Only a small proportion (17%) of the study population had been evaluated and treated for osteoporosis. CONCLUSIONS: In senile patients with a recent hip fracture, pre-existing disability, multiple co-morbidities, high risk of falling and inadequate intake of calcium and vitamin D is relatively common. Community and case-finding interventions aimed at selecting subjects at high risk of osteoporosis, preventing vitamin D and dietary calcium deficiency, and increasing awareness on the environmental risks of falling are highly warranted.

[Occlusal plane orientation and postoperative anterior open bite relapse]. / Orientation du plan d'occlusion et récidive postopératoire des béances antérieures.

INTRODUCTION: Most published data on relapse in open bite maxillo-mandibular deformities give raw results but do not suggest any specific therapy. Indeed, their authors compare the various osteotomy techniques but without identifying risk factors for relapse (dysfunctional or architectural). We studied the predictive value of occlusal plane tilting, in the long-term relapse of open bite maxillo-mandibular deformity. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Fifty patients were included between 1996 and 2007. For each patient, Delaire cephalometric analysis was performed on preoperative, immediate and late postoperative teleradiographs. Immediate real postoperative occlusal plane tilting was analyzed and compared with "ideal" theoretical occlusal plane tilting (calculated with Delaires' analysis). The patients were classified in two groups: one with slight discrepancy between these two planes (+/-3.75 degrees) and one with large discrepancies between these two planes (greater than 3.75 degrees or lesser than 3.75 degrees). RESULTS: Postoperative relapse was seven times more frequent when the postoperative plane tilting was superior to +/-3.75 degrees in reference to the ideal plane. DISCUSSION: Postoperative occlusal plane tilting is a predictive factor of postoperative open bite relapse.

[Autotransplantation of an immature tooth]. / Autotransplantation de dent immature.

Autogenous tooth transplantation is indicated in young people treated by orthodontology, especially when they present with damaged first molars requiring extraction. This therapeutic alternative with a favourable prognosis is an elegant solution after a single tooth loss.

Oxidation of the pesticide atrazine at DSA electrodes.

This paper presents the study of the electrochemical oxidation of the pesticide atrazine at a Ti/Ru(0.3)Ti(0.7)O(2) dimensionally stable anodes (DSA). The effect of using different supporting electrolytes (NaCl, NaOH, NaNO(3), NaClO(4), H(2)SO(4) and Na(2)SO(4)) during the galvanostatic electrolysis of atrazine was investigated. It was observed that the removal of atrazine and total organic carbon (TOC) was only achieved at appreciable rates when NaCl was used as the supporting electrolyte, due to the oxidising species formed in this electrolyte (e.g. ClO(-)). Variation of the NaCl concentration demonstrated that, although only low concentrations of NaCl are necessary to result in the complete removal of atrazine in solution, TOC removal is almost linearly dependent on the quantity of NaCl in solution. Examination of the applied current density indicates that the efficiency of TOC removal reaches a maximum at 60 mA cm(-2). Testing of alternative electrode materials containing SnO(2) did not improve the efficiency of atrazine removal in Na(2)SO(4), but in NaCl a small increase was observed. Overall there appears to be no great advantage in using SnO(2)-containing electrodes over the Ti/Ru(0.3)Ti(0.7)O(2) electrode.

Developing a self-learning training program for RIS computer skills.

The demonstration of competency by healthcare professionals remains a priority for hospital administrators, as well as for the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). Unfortunately, staff members who have to complete competency exercises often describe the process as a burden. Ineffective training processes may be the culprit. Our teaching hospital developed a training program for the radiology information system (RIS) computer system used by an imaging department of more than 200 staff members. The emphasis of our training program was on the design phase and the contribution of subject-matter experts (SMEs) to the content and testing of training materials, which included a computer-assisted, self-learning manual (SLM) and a pocket guide. The first step in the design process was to identify subject matter experts (SMEs) within the imaging department. Seven SMEs were shadowed by the IT educator. The role of the SME was to demonstrate current practices with RIS, to state principles involved and to serve as a reference for questions during training development. The steps that followed planning and design were: training delivery, evaluation and ongoing training. These steps were implemented in a series of workshops, which included soliciting feedback about the training program. Feedback was used to revise the SLM. The RIS SLM training project was a huge success for everyone involved. The average score for the core-skills test was higher than 90 percent. Seventy-five percent of the current staff was trained in the first phase, including radiology students. Our yearly cost savings using SLM workshops instead of on-the-job training will be about $35,000. We attribute the success of this project to a detailed timeline, SME contributions, the pilot testing phase, and the positive attitude of the imaging staff.